Simeone vows to ‘look after’ Alvarez as he rejoins Atletico

Simeone vows to ‘look after’ Alvarez as he rejoins Atletico

According to Soccernews.

Background

Julian Alvarez, a prominent figure in Atletico Madrid's squad, has been the subject of speculation throughout the summer transfer market. His potential move to Barcelona raised questions about his future, but with Simeone's public support, it appears Alvarez will focus on his development at Atletico. The club's stance reinforces their commitment to building a competitive team in La Liga, relying on key players like Alvarez.

Why this matters

Julian Alvarez's situation has been a focal point in the summer transfer window, particularly with his links to Barcelona. Diego Simeone's commitment to keeping Alvarez at Atletico Madrid highlights the club's strategy to retain key players amid intense competition in La Liga football. Alvarez's role is crucial for Atletico's ambitions this season, especially as they aim to challenge for top honors in the league.

Key Takeaways

• Simeone vows to ‘look after’ Alvarez as he rejoins Atletico.
• After a win over Malaga in their season opener, Atletico Madrid will host Villarreal on Sunday, with Julian Alvarez set to return.
• Julian Alvarez remains central to Atletico Madrid's plans.

As Atletico Madrid prepares for their home opener against Villarreal, head coach Diego Simeone has publicly committed to "look after" Julian Alvarez, who has been at the center of a summer-long transfer saga. The Argentine striker was heavily speculated to be moving to LaLiga rival Barcelona. However, Atletico Madrid has maintained its firm stance that Alvarez is not for sale. In a pre-match press conference, Simeone confirmed that Alvarez would stay at the Metropolitano for the upcoming season, underscoring the player’s significance in his strategic plans. Alvarez did not feature in Atletico's opening match of the season, which ended in a 2-0 victory over Malaga, with Lee Kang-in and Alex Baena scoring the goals. Simeone addressed the media with confidence about Alvarez’s future: "The doubts about Alvarez's situation do not exist, and Miguel Angel [Gil Marin, Atletico CEO] spoke clearly. For me, Julian is a very important player for achieving our objectives on the sporting level. We will be with him, and we will take care of him from the sporting side. Why? Because he is our player, and as long as he is at Atletico, I will look after him and protect him." When asked about Alvarez's mindset leading up to the match against Villarreal, Simeone praised the forward's professionalism, stating, "It is challenging for anyone to gauge how another feels because I am not that person. What I see is that he is working in the best possible way and training with his teammates with great respect for everyone. I have no doubt about the path we have decided to take with the club, which is to build a big team, as that is our goal. Simeone is particularly eager for a strong performance against Villarreal, especially after suffering a 5-1 defeat in their last LaLiga encounter last May. Historically, Atletico Madrid has not lost consecutive league matches to Villarreal since April 2017. Villarreal, on the other hand, could only manage a 2-2 draw against Racing Santander in their season opener last weekend. **PLAYERS TO WATCH** **Atletico Madrid – Lee Kang-in**: The summer signing made an impressive LaLiga debut, scoring the opener against Malaga. If he scores again, he could become the first Atletico player to net in his first two league appearances in the 21st century. **Villarreal – Gerard Moreno**: The forward has found the back of the net three times in 20 LaLiga matches against Atletico, and all three goals came at the Metropolitano. He will be looking to add to his tally against Los Rojiblancos this Sunday. **MATCH PREDICTION**: Atletico Madrid is favored to win this match despite a poor recent record against Villarreal at home. The Rojiblancos are aiming for a strong start, and a victory would mark their first two consecutive league wins since 2021-22. Villarreal has struggled in away fixtures, failing to win any of their last four LaLiga matches on the road. Simeone's historical performance against Villarreal includes 11 draws in 28 LaLiga matches, with the aim to turn the tide this time around. **OPTA WIN PROBABILITY**: Atletico Madrid – 50.2%, Draw – 25.3%, Villarreal – 24.5%

What happens next

With Simeone's assurance of Alvarez's place in the squad, fans can expect to see the Argentine forward integrated into the team's plans moving forward. As Atletico prepares for their match against Villarreal, Alvarez's performance and adaptation will be closely monitored. His development and contributions will be vital as Atletico navigates the challenges of the La Liga season ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Julian Alvarez?

Julian Alvarez is an Argentine striker currently playing for Atletico Madrid.

Which club was Julian Alvarez previously linked to?

Julian Alvarez was heavily speculated to be moving to La Liga rival Barcelona.

Why is Julian Alvarez staying at Atletico Madrid?

Atletico Madrid has maintained that Alvarez is not for sale, and head coach Diego Simeone has emphasized his importance to the team's strategic plans.

What is the status of Julian Alvarez's transfer?

Julian Alvarez is confirmed to stay at Atletico Madrid for the upcoming season, with no transfer deal in place.

When will Julian Alvarez play again?

Julian Alvarez did not feature in Atletico's opening match of the season, but he is expected to play a significant role in future matches.

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